Market Drayton Community Car scheme secures new vehicle to help the vulnerable out of lockdown
A community transport scheme that gives vulnerable and elderly people the freedom to get out to hospital appointments and activities for cheap has secured a smart new car.
The Market Drayton Community Car project has been run by community-minded trustees for 18 years, with a selfless team of volunteers driving those with limited mobility options around the county to appointments and activities.
The trust took the opportunity to purchase a spacious new Citroen Berlingo, complete with wheelchair access and branding, to continue helping people as the UK steps out of coronavirus lockdowns.
Trustee Maggie Edwards said: "We do hospital, doctors, shopping, we take people to respite appointments – we do a lot of respite.
"Obviously at the moment nobody is going into Woodcroft [a care home in Market Drayton], that's a big part of our work.
"When everything's up and running we take people to lunch club at Fordhall Farm.
"With things easing now we're going to be back to doing that sort of thing."
Vitally, the scheme is intended as an affordable alternative to get around. A return trip within Market Drayton would typically cost £3, and to and from Princess Royal Hospital in Telford would cost £10.
The community car trustee team consists of three people and there are six drivers, but they cater for about 300 people who are on their books.
"We're always looking for drivers," said Maggie.
"They can do as much or as little as they like."
Learn more by calling 07908 235299.
